Plain Pat
Patrick Reynolds, professionally known as Plain Pat, is an American record producer, talent manager, songwriter, and disc jockey best known for his pivotal roles in shaping the early careers of hip-hop artists Kanye West and Kid Cudi.[1][2] Born and raised in the United States, Reynolds entered the music industry in the early 2000s, quickly establishing himself as a key figure in the GOOD Music collective through his production and executive work.[3] Plain Pat's tenure as Kanye's manager during the artist's initial rise included mixing the 2007 mixtape Can't Tell Me Nothing and serving as A&R on landmark albums such as The College Dropout (2004), Graduation (2007), My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010), and the 2012 compilation Cruel Summer.[1] He produced notable tracks including "The Glory" from Graduation, "Welcome to Heartbreak" from 808s & Heartbreak (2008), and "Monster" from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, co-writing the latter two.[1] His production extended to later Kanye projects like the 2015 single "All Day" and the 2016 track "Famous," as well as the Entergalactic soundtrack (2022) and Driving Blind (2025).[1][3])[4] In parallel, Plain Pat co-managed Kid Cudi alongside Emile Haynie starting around 2008, contributing to the rapper's breakthrough mixtape A Kid Named Cudi and early full-length efforts under GOOD Music.[5] Their professional relationship ended in 2011 when Cudi parted ways with his managers to launch his own label, Wicked Awesome Records.[2] Beyond these foundational collaborations, Plain Pat has produced for artists including Drake—co-producing "Deep Pockets" on the 2020 mixtape Dark Lane Demo Tapes—and contributed to tracks like "THE SCOTTS" by Travis Scott and Kid Cudi in 2020, as well as four songs on the 2018 album Kids See Ghosts.[3] His broader discography spans over 80 production credits and hundreds of songwriting contributions in hip-hop.[3]Early life
Childhood and family background
Patrick Reynolds, professionally known as Plain Pat, was born on October 7, 1983.[6]Career
Music production beginnings
Plain Pat entered the music industry as an A&R executive at Def Jam Recordings in the mid-2000s, where he first connected with emerging talent in New York City's hip-hop scene. In 2006, he met Kid Cudi (born Scott Mescudi) during a visit to the Def Jam offices, when Cudi, a recent transplant from Cleveland, handed him a demo tape.[7] The two built a rapport over shared interests, with Cudi recalling in a 2008 interview that they "just stayed in touch" after the initial encounter, leading to Plain Pat mentoring and collaborating with him informally through mutual connections.[8] This relationship culminated in Plain Pat's first major production credits on Cudi's debut mixtape, A Kid Named Cudi, released in July 2008. The mixtape was co-produced primarily with Emile Haynie, with Plain Pat credited on tracks such as "The Prayer" and co-producing "Maui Wowie," blending soulful samples with introspective hip-hop elements that defined Cudi's early sound.[9] The project, executive produced by Plain Pat and Haynie, marked a pivotal step in honing his production skills, drawing from influences like OutKast and Band of Horses to create atmospheric, melody-driven instrumentals.[10] Around the same period, Plain Pat expanded his production portfolio through work in Kanye West's orbit, contributing to West's 2007 album Graduation. He served as co-producer on the track "The Glory," featuring John Legend and Mos Def, where he assisted in layering orchestral samples from Laura Nyro's "Save the Country (Live)" over West's signature bombastic style.[11] Additionally, he collaborated with British artist Mr. Hudson on West's follow-up 808s & Heartbreak (2008), co-producing the brooding "Paranoid," which showcased Plain Pat's growing expertise in integrating live instrumentation with electronic textures. By the late 2000s, Plain Pat had shifted from his A&R administrative role at Def Jam to focus full-time on production and creative partnerships, leveraging these early successes to establish himself as a key figure in alternative hip-hop.[6] His hands-on involvement in these projects refined his approach to beat-making, emphasizing emotional depth and genre fusion that would influence subsequent works. In 2025, Plain Pat produced the album DRIVING BLIND for LIFEOFTHOM, released in October, and collaborated with Lord Sko on the track "42ND W".[12][13]Artist management and executive roles
Plain Pat began managing Kid Cudi in 2008 after initially encountering him as an A&R executive at Def Jam Recordings, where he recognized Cudi's potential and facilitated his signing to Kanye West's GOOD Music imprint under Universal Motown Records. This deal marked a pivotal major label entry for Cudi, enabling the release of his debut mixtape A Kid Named Cudi and subsequent album Man on the Moon: The End of Day.[14][7][15] As an executive at GOOD Music, Plain Pat served in A&R capacities, including directing A&R for Kanye West's 2008 album 808s & Heartbreak, where he contributed to artist development and project oversight alongside administrators like Terese Joseph. His role extended to co-founding the Dream On imprint in 2009 with Cudi and producer Emile Haynie, partnering with GOOD Music to nurture emerging talent.[16] In 2020, Plain Pat collaborated with Drake on the mixtape Dark Lane Demo Tapes in a production and songwriting capacity, co-producing the track "Deep Pockets" with Noah "40" Shebib and providing executive-level input drawn from his longstanding industry experience. Following a professional split with Kid Cudi in early 2011, where Cudi parted ways with his management team including Plain Pat to launch his own label, Plain Pat transitioned to independent ventures, focusing on production, A&R, and selective artist guidance outside of GOOD Music structures.[3][2]DJing and performance work
Plain Pat emerged as a DJ in the late 2000s, aligning his performances with his production and management work for Kid Cudi. He made his notable debut DJ set at the release party for Cudi's mixtape A Kid Named Cudi on July 17, 2008, held at Red Bull Space in New York City, where he shared the decks with Nick Catchdubs and 88-Keys ahead of Cudi's headlining show.[7] During the initial phase of Kid Cudi's rise (2006–2008), Plain Pat functioned as Cudi's DJ alongside his roles as producer and manager, supporting early live appearances and promotional events that built momentum for Cudi's breakthrough.[7] This involvement extended into Cudi's debut album era, where Plain Pat's management ties facilitated his contributions to tour support, including DJ elements during the 2009–2010 promotions for Man on the Moon: The End of Day.[17] In the 2010s, Plain Pat continued to develop his live DJing, blending his hip-hop production expertise into sets at various venues. A key example was his performance at CV Lounge in New York City on January 28, 2011, where he delivered a dedicated DJ set attended by industry figures including Kid Cudi. His approach evolved to incorporate original productions and collaborations, creating immersive experiences that highlighted his curatorial ear for emerging sounds in hip-hop and R&B.[6]Business ventures
Early involvement with GOOD Music
Plain Pat played a significant role in the early development of GOOD Music, a record label founded by Kanye West in the fall of 2004 in partnership with [Sony BMG](/page/Sony_BM G), following the success of West's debut album The College Dropout. As West's longtime A&R representative and collaborator, Plain Pat helped shape the label's initial direction, focusing on artist discovery and creative oversight during its formative years. His contributions laid the groundwork for GOOD Music's emergence as a hub for innovative hip-hop talent.[18][19] In the late 2000s, Plain Pat was central to expanding the label's roster through key artist signings. Serving as manager to Kid Cudi, he reconnected with Cudi after an initial rejection at Def Jam and facilitated the introduction of Cudi's music to West, resulting in Cudi's signing to GOOD Music in 2008. Similarly, Plain Pat co-hosted West's influential 2007 mixtape Can't Tell Me Nothing, which spotlighted unreleased tracks from Big Sean and contributed to Sean's signing to the label that same year. These efforts demonstrated Plain Pat's talent-scouting acumen and helped position GOOD Music as a destination for emerging artists blending hip-hop with alternative sounds.[14][18] Plain Pat's involvement extended to strategic marketing for label releases, particularly through mixtapes that promoted new talent and built buzz for upcoming projects. Up to 2010, he supported operations including the 2009 rollout of Cudi's debut album Man on the Moon: The End of Day under GOOD Music, as well as the launch of the Dream On imprint in partnership with GOOD Music and Universal Motown that year, co-founded with Cudi and producer Emile Haynie. His primary tenure with GOOD Music concluded around 2010, after which he shifted focus to independent management and production endeavors while maintaining later collaborations.[20][21]Other entrepreneurial activities
Following his departure from the Dream On partnership with Kid Cudi in 2011, Plain Pat established himself as an independent talent manager, representing high-profile artists and projects in the hip-hop industry. Notably, he served as the manager for KIDS SEE GHOSTS, the collaborative duo of Kanye West and Kid Cudi, overseeing aspects of their 2018 self-titled album release and related activities.[22] Throughout the 2010s, Plain Pat expanded his entrepreneurial footprint as a record executive, contributing to production and A&R efforts on albums such as Kanye West's The Life of Pablo (2016), where he provided additional production on tracks like "Waves." His independent management work focused on nurturing emerging and established talent, leveraging his prior experience at GOOD Music to guide artist development without formal label affiliation. In 2025, Plain Pat formed a creative partnership with New York rapper LIFEOFTHOM, fully producing the artist's debut mixtape Driving Blind, released on October 1, 2025, a 12-track project blending boom bap beats with melodic elements that marked a significant evolution in LIFEOFTHOM's sound. This collaboration, developed over more than a year, highlighted Plain Pat's ongoing role as a multifaceted executive, including songwriting and audio engineering contributions.[22][23]Creative works
Discography as producer
Plain Pat's production work spans multiple high-profile hip-hop albums, often collaborating closely with artists from the GOOD Music collective. His contributions emphasize atmospheric beats, emotional depth, and innovative sampling, frequently co-producing tracks that blend introspective lyrics with lush instrumentation. Early in his career, he gained prominence through credits on Kanye West's albums, where he helped shape the sonic evolution from triumphant anthems to more vulnerable soundscapes, including A&R direction and writing contributions on Graduation (2007).[24] For 808s & Heartbreak (2008), Plain Pat co-produced key tracks like "Welcome to Heartbreak" (featuring Kid Cudi) and "Paranoid" (featuring Mr. Hudson), incorporating Auto-Tune experimentation and minimalist drum patterns that influenced a generation of R&B-infused hip-hop.[25][24] These efforts helped the album debut at number 1 on the Billboard 200, selling over 441,000 copies in its first week.[26] Plain Pat's involvement with West continued on The Life of Pablo (2016), where he provided co-production on "Pt. 2" (featuring Desiigner and Caroline Shaw) and additional production on "Ultralight Beam," blending gospel elements with trap beats to create the album's eclectic texture.[27][28] The project debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200, amassing over 179,000 album-equivalent units in its opening week.[29] On the collaborative album Kids See Ghosts (2018) by Kanye West and Kid Cudi, Plain Pat produced or co-produced four tracks: "Feel the Love," "4th Dimension" (featuring Louis Prima), "Reborn," and the title track "Kids See Ghosts" (featuring Yasiin Bey). His beats featured psychedelic samples and ethereal synths, contributing to the album's critical acclaim and number 2 Billboard 200 debut with 147,000 units sold.[30][31] Plain Pat's longstanding partnership with Kid Cudi is evident in Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager (2010), where he executive produced the album and handled production on tracks like "Revofev" and "Mr. Rager," using moody piano and synth layers to underscore themes of escapism; the project debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200, selling 169,000 copies in its first week.[32][33] In 2020, Plain Pat co-produced "Deep Pockets" on Drake's Dark Lane Demo Tapes mixtape alongside Noah "40" Shebib, delivering a brooding, introspective beat that fit the project's demo-like aesthetic; the mixtape debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200, moving 334,000 units.[3][34] Among other 2010s collaborations, Plain Pat co-produced "The Scotts" (2020, technically extending from late-2010s work) by The Scotts (Travis Scott and Kid Cudi), incorporating orchestral swells and trap percussion for a cinematic feel that reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.[35][36] In 2025, Plain Pat produced multiple tracks on LIFEOFTHOM's album DRIVING BLIND, including "OVERTHINKING," "GTFO," and "CADILLAC," showcasing his continued evolution in alternative rap production with introspective and atmospheric soundscapes. He also contributed to the 42ND ST. project, blending hip-hop with experimental elements.[37]| Album/Single | Artist | Year | Key Tracks Produced/Co-Produced by Plain Pat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduation | Kanye West | 2007 | A&R and writing contributions |
| 808s & Heartbreak | Kanye West | 2008 | "Welcome to Heartbreak," "Paranoid" |
| Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager | Kid Cudi | 2010 | "Revofev," "Mr. Rager" |
| The Life of Pablo | Kanye West | 2016 | "Pt. 2," "Ultralight Beam" (additional) |
| Kids See Ghosts | Kanye West & Kid Cudi | 2018 | "Feel the Love," "4th Dimension," "Reborn," "Kids See Ghosts" |
| Dark Lane Demo Tapes | Drake | 2020 | "Deep Pockets" |
| The Scotts | The Scotts (Travis Scott & Kid Cudi) | 2020 | "The Scotts" |
| DRIVING BLIND | LIFEOFTHOM | 2025 | "OVERTHINKING," "GTFO," "CADILLAC" |
Soundtrack contributions
Plain Pat has made notable contributions to soundtracks, particularly through collaborative productions that integrate music with visual storytelling in film and animation. In 2022, he co-produced the original score for Entergalactic, a Netflix animated special created by Kid Cudi and Kenya Barris, alongside producer Dot da Genius.[38] The 18-track album features instrumental cues tailored to the narrative of a young artist's romantic and professional journey in New York City, including pieces like "Afternoon & Murakami" and "The Nomad Bar," which underscore key emotional and visual sequences.[39] This project exemplifies Pat's role in fusing hip-hop influences with cinematic scoring, enhancing the special's immersive, multimedia experience.[40] Earlier, in 2014, Pat contributed to the soundtrack for the thriller film No Good Deed, directed by Sam Miller, by co-writing the track "Let Us Move On" with Dido, Rollo, Jeff Bhasker, and Kendrick Lamar.[41] Performed by Kendrick Lamar, the song serves as a thematic closer, blending introspective lyrics with atmospheric production to reflect the film's tension and resolution.[41] His involvement highlights an early foray into feature film music, where Pat's production style—characterized by layered beats and melodic introspection—supported the narrative without overshadowing the dialogue-driven plot.[42] Throughout the 2010s and 2020s, Pat's soundtrack work has emphasized collaborations with visual artists, most prominently in Entergalactic, where he partnered with Kid Cudi, whose dual role as musician and visual creator shaped the project's synesthetic blend of animation and sound.[39] These efforts demonstrate Pat's versatility in crafting original scores and singles that amplify thematic elements in TV specials and films, prioritizing atmospheric depth over standalone tracks.[40]Film and media involvement
Production credits
Plain Pat has contributed to various film and television projects through hands-on production roles, particularly in music videos and animated features tied to hip-hop artists. In 2011, he served as executive producer for the short film/music video Kid Cudi: Mr. Rager, a psychedelic narrative visualizing the track from Kid Cudi's album Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager, overseeing elements like visual effects and performance sequences that blend live-action with surreal imagery.[43] Similarly, in 2010, he acted as executive producer for Kid Cudi: Erase Me, another music video that featured dynamic editing and thematic elements reflecting the song's introspective lyrics, contributing to its cohesive artistic direction.[44] His work extended into animated productions in the 2020s, where he co-composed the score for the Netflix animated film Entergalactic (2022), collaborating with Dot da Genius to create an original soundtrack that integrated hip-hop beats to support the story's romantic and interstellar themes.[45] This project marked a significant expansion of his production involvement into full-length animated features, emphasizing narrative-driven music integration. He also contributed to the soundtrack for the film No Good Deed (2014).[46] In hip-hop themed media, Plain Pat's contributions often focused on specific scenes, such as curating auditory landscapes for emotional climaxes in artist-centric shorts, enhancing the genre's visual storytelling without overarching directorial oversight.[42]Directorial or executive roles
Plain Pat has held several executive and production roles in visual media projects, particularly those tied to Kid Cudi's creative output. In the early 2010s, he served as executive producer on Kid Cudi's music video for "Marijuana" (2011), overseeing the production of the visual accompaniment to the track from the album Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager. He also acted as executive producer for Kid Cudi's music videos "Mr. Rager" (2011) and "Erase Me" (2010), contributing to the realization of these short-form films that blended hip-hop aesthetics with cinematic storytelling.[47] In the 2020s, Plain Pat expanded his media involvement through his work on the Netflix TV special Entergalactic (2022), a hybrid animated film and soundtrack project conceived and executive produced by Kid Cudi. Plain Pat collaborated with producer Dot da Genius to compose and produce the film's original score, that integrated seamlessly with the narrative exploring themes of love and art in a futuristic setting.[48][49] This role highlighted his transition into broader media production, bridging music and visual storytelling on a major streaming platform. Additionally, he appeared as himself in the 2021 documentary A Man Named Scott, which chronicles Kid Cudi's career.[50]Awards and recognition
Grammy nominations
Plain Pat, whose real name is Patrick Reynolds, has received multiple Grammy nominations primarily for his production and songwriting contributions to hip-hop tracks and albums associated with Kanye West and collaborators. His first recognition came at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in 2008, where he shared in the win for Best Rap Album for his production work on Kanye West's Graduation. As one of the album's producers, Reynolds contributed to tracks like "Stronger" and "Good Life," helping the project secure the award over nominees including Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III.[51] In 2009, at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, Reynolds earned a nomination for Best Rap Song as a co-songwriter on "Swagga Like Us" by Jay-Z, T.I., Kanye West, and Lil Wayne. The track, which interpolates M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes," lost to Lil Wayne's "Lollipop" but highlighted Reynolds' role in crafting high-profile crossover hits.[52] Reynolds received two nominations at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards in 2016 for his production on Kanye West's "All Day" featuring Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom, and Paul McCartney. The song was nominated in both Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance categories, recognizing its aggressive energy and ensemble production involving multiple contributors including Reynolds. It did not win either, with Kendrick Lamar's "Alright" taking Best Rap Song and "Alright" also winning Best Rap Performance.[53] The following year, at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards in 2017, Reynolds was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for co-producing "Famous" by Kanye West featuring Rihanna. The controversial track, which sampled Sister Nancy's "Bam Bam," lost to Rihanna's "Work" with Drake but underscored Reynolds' ongoing impact on West's experimental sound.[54] Reynolds also shared a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019 for his production contributions to the collaborative album Kids See Ghosts by Kanye West and Kid Cudi. The album lost to Cardi B's Invasion of Privacy. No further Grammy honors for Reynolds have been recorded through 2025.[55][30]| Year | Category | Work | Result | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Best Rap Album | Graduation (Kanye West) | Won | Producer |
| 2009 | Best Rap Song | "Swagga Like Us" (Jay-Z, T.I., Kanye West & Lil Wayne) | Nominated | Songwriter |
| 2016 | Best Rap Song | "All Day" (Kanye West feat. Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom & Paul McCartney) | Nominated | Producer |
| 2016 | Best Rap Performance | "All Day" (Kanye West feat. Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom & Paul McCartney) | Nominated | Producer |
| 2017 | Best Rap/Sung Collaboration | "Famous" (Kanye West feat. Rihanna) | Nominated | Producer |
| 2019 | Best Rap Album | Kids See Ghosts (Kanye West & Kid Cudi) | Nominated | Producer |